Stuff You Gotta Have

September 7, 2011

It was still winter when we first learned about a camping product that we were pretty sure would warm the hearts—among other things—of KOA campers. And with temps falling and leaves changing, we knew that it was it was the perfect time of year to tell you all about it.

Although it looks like the camping chair you might have stored in your garage or RV, the Chaheati™ is anything but. Designed to keep you toasty warm even on the coolest mornings or the chilliest evenings, it is a great addition to your camping gear. It’s particularly a nice fit for campers whose backs are a little sore after some time on the road. Its four-temp heating system operates for up to 6 hours and comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

But would the Chaheati™ stand up to our campers expectations? We asked our friends on Facebook who’d like to give this product a try, and three lucky folks were chosen to do just that. They rated it on a scale of 1-5 marshmallows, with 5 being an absolute must-have and 1 being “probably wouldn’t recommend.

Here’s what they told us:

KOA Reviewer Tim Care & Family, Jenison, MI
Rating: 4 marshmallows

We give the Chaheati a score of 4 marshmallows!!! Upon opening the box it was a little disappointing to see a “Bag Chair” to be tested. I mean, c’mon, what’s fun about testing a bag chair. Aren’t they all the same?

However after opening the chair and setting it up, we found what promised to be a nice surprise. The Chaheati comes with a battery pack and charger which operates the heating system in the chair. After reading the brief instruction sheet, we charged up the battery pack and decided to give the chair a try. Very shortly after turning it on, the seat area of the chair began to heat up.

It worked very well, and has 4 settings for the heat – low to max. The cats seemed to enjoyed the warm seat the most while the chair was inside in the air conditioning.

The Chaheati is a normal sized bag chair, which for most everyone in our family works great. However for someone 6’5″, it felt a little undersized and uncomfortable.

We didn’t get much of a chance to try it outside at first, as the day it arrived it was 92 degrees and a heated chair was not going to be appreciated. However over the weekend the temperatures dropped and it was easy to see this was definitely something that was going to be packed for our fall camping trips. Obviously the chair can be used any time, but is really going to get a lot of use in Spring and Fall camping when the nights are cool. A nice campfire to warm up the front of you and the Chaheati keeping the rest warm. Now we just have to figure out how everyone is going to get to use it at the same time.

KOA Reviewer Ronnie Herr, Velva, ND (USA)Rating: 4 marshmallows

Tester Ronnie Herr learned that this is no ordinary camping chair.

“I found the Chaheati to be a very sturdy, and well put together chair. I’ve seen some pretty cheap versions of those fold up chairs, and this is not one of them. At first when I saw the plug in charger in the package, I thought it plugged into electricity, but upon reading the directions was happy to see it was a charger for the battery pack/control pad. When turning the heating feature on, I was able to feel it heating immediately…. it seemed like it heated more towards the back than the bottom, but that could just be me. All in all, I give the Chaheati 4 Marshmallows. It seems like a quality, well built product.”

KOA Reviewer Mike Lambert, Lakewood OH (USA)
Rating: 4 marshmallows

Attached are some pictures that I took using the Chaheati chair. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised at how warm the chair got and how quickly it warmed-up. The battery pack is simple to use and to charge. I would rate the product overall as 4 marshmallows. The ONLY drawback is that the chair is not built any better than a regular camp chair. Those camp chairs last two or three years before the small plastic joints start to crack and come apart. So if I were to invest some additional money into this chair for its warming properties, I would hope that it would hold-up longer overall.

As you can see, my dogs were also enjoying the fire in the backyard and the cool, Early Autumn day. Labor Day here in Ohio turned-out to be about 65 for the high and breezy. So the fire felt good and the Chaheati helped make it that much more enjoyable.

The chair did exactly what was promised, it kept your back warm while I was sitting at a campfire. So I did not feel the need to stand-up and warm my backside occasionally with the fire. I would recommend this chair for anyone who finds it difficult to sit by a campfire on those cool, damp evenings. It definitely works!

Thanks to our friends from Chaheati for supplying chairs for our campers to test! If you’d like to learn more about Chaheati or purchase your own chair, click here.

I’ve wanted a new chair for over a year now, but they’re all made in China. I’m trying to hold out until I can find another alternative. If this one is made here in the USA, I’m getting it. If it’s made in China, I’ll just wait.

Dondra Smith

Well Dave, this chair is made in China also! Check out the Chaheati website’s blog at http://www.chaheati.com, where you can learn all about their China trip!! Also the cost is around $90 for a “camp chair” made in China, just like all the rest.

Bill Wright

Hi rveryone
I’m leaving in 10 minutes for Lake Sisiyou, CA. Wish you were all going with us, Boy! that would be a party Six couples with us & one cabin dweller, plus some friends from last year.

Pam Pointer

Hi
My husband and I are leaving tomorrow on a nine day trip to the Oregon coast. These chairs would be a welcome addition- too bad they can’t arrive before tomorrow noon!

Jenny

Do they make this in stylish office chair models? Our office is freezing and it would be appreciated!

KOA

Hi Jenny! You’ll have to give our friends at Chaheati a call to see what styles they have available!

Gabriel

As someone who was born and raised in Florida, I’d like a southern version that is cooled!

Rob

For $89.99, I can get 6-8 non heated chairs. Nice idea, but I’ll pass thanks. Check out Lake Placid NY KOA. It’s one of the best in the country.

Dave Bryant

I wish they could built this in to the ultra high quality MaxxDaddy Monster chair. It is a very sturdy camp chair that holds 500lbs. A bit larger too. Not cheap but lasts and is comfortable for me at 6’2″ and 300+. They are made in the USA too!

Suzi

A heated camp chair is a great idea. My husband and I really like the thought of heating our backs while sitting around a campfire after a day of hiking and fishing.

The fact that it is made in China is not a good idea though. If the chair were made in the US, I’d buy 5 of them – regardless of price.

We won’t be buying any of them becuase we no longer buy products that are not made in the USA. Just a note: we’ve been saving lots of money because of this simple act.

Kristy

I want one and not for camping.
I am thinking all these years I have spent at kids fall/spring outdoor sports. …freezing or wrapped up in blankets, with gloves and hand warmers.

I think I will put this on my hint list.

rhonda

Wow may be what i need for the cool mountain weather we are going to be having on our North Carolina trip in a couple weeks, sure might make sitting out side near the lake a little wamer..lol ..at least one side of me. i am always the cold one who goes in and doesn’t stay out late by the campfires due to being so cold .
may have to invest in one to sit out later with every one..

April

They stole my idea! I am always thinking when camping that I need a heated chair to keep the back warm & toasty around the fire! Also thinking need some sort of cooling device in my cup holder for those hot summer days!

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